Tradition varies from DZ to DZ, but skydivers usually give each other a handshake of some kind just before exiting. This is to wish each other a good, safe and fun skydive.

>> Hot Tip! << Whatever the tradition is, the pre-exit handshake is usually not a traditional boardroom handshake. Don't shake the other jumpers' hands like you're running for Congress—follow their lead.

Exit!

As a student, you'll probably be one of the last skydivers to exit. It might be intimidating to see everyone else jump out, but take a deep breath and relax. It's your turn now!

It’s a noisy Cessna Caravan 208 in the DZ livery. The first thing you notice is the very large door opening. That’s going to be the exit at 14000 feet. There is a rusting yellow ladder that is propped up against the door. You clamber up it and the next odd thing appears. You sit backwards, between the legs of a person behind you (your instructor). Eventually everyone climbs in. The plane is noisy; it’s not like anything you go on holiday on. You can hear the prop roar as we taxi out to the...Read More